Faculty Spotlight: Gianna Alden

This week's faculty spotlight is Gianna Alden, PMAC's Suzuki Violin teacher. 

Gianna, who is one of our newest faculty members, is no stranger to PMAC. An active participant in our Jazz Adventurers (she sings!), Gianna also brings her son to lessons here and is well versed in our school. We're happy to welcome her to our faculty to teach Suzuki Violin - an early childhood violin method that she specializes in and has taught for the past decade. A former teacher of Suzuki at Rye Country Day School, Gianna has been an early childhood educator in the Seacoast for the past 15+ years. Gianna received her Suzuki certification from Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.

We asked Gianna a few questions about herself, here are her answers:

PMAC: What is your teaching philosophy? 

Gianna: I believe all children have the ability to learn the violin at an early age through the use of the Suzuki Method.  This method involves the parents, child, and teacher working together in a nurturing and encouraging environment to allow the child to learn at his or her own rate, building on small steps so the child and parent feel successful.  Learning an instrument also builds a child's character and confidence and is such a wonderful gift a parent can give their child.  We also use games and humor to make learning fun!   "Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart", Dr. Suzuki.

PMAC: Who is your biggest musical influence?  

Gianna: My Suzuki violin teacher , Mrs. Barbra Embser, at the Hartford Conservatory of Music.  She taught me about  hard work and persistence and provided a love for music that I would not have had.

PMAC: What is your favorite album?  

Gianna: Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

PMAC: If you were a visual artist, what would you choose as a medium?

Gianna: My medium would be acrylic paint on a really big canvas!

PMAC: What led you to play the violin?   

Gianna: My teachers told my mom I needed to be challenged outside of school and maybe should try music.  She saw an add in the paper for Suzuki Violin lessons and that was that!